Advertisements are great, but it’s very difficult to hide their intent. As soon as we see an ad come up on our television screen, computer monitor, phone or tablet, we already know the ad creator is trying to sell us something. With that knowledge comes a certain cynicism. People don’t want to be advertised to, so there’s already a built-in resistance to the message before the message even starts.
One of the best ways to combat that inherent distrust is by being authentic. Customers want to deal with people, not faceless corporate entities. They want someone to have a conversation with them about their needs, not to be the subject of a slick advertising campaign. People want to see you. The more genuine you are, the more they’ll come to trust that you’re trying to help them instead of parting them from their money.
on Thursday, 19 March 2020.
Posted in Business Strategy
Does your back, neck or wrist hurt? You are not alone. Approximately $1 billion is spent in the United States per week on the effects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
But working a desk job shouldn’t—and doesn’t have to—leave you in pain. With a few easy changes, you can make your office ergonomically correct—adjusted to suit your body—and reduce or eliminate those aches and pains.
on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.
Posted in Insights
Good copy is written for a specific audience—meaning, in a way that is relatable to those you are trying to attract. Often, this means writing in a colloquial manner, or in a way that reflects how your audience speaks, rather than adhering to formal English rules. But remember: Casual is not a synonym for incorrect. While it’s important to connect with your audience, it is essential to do so in a way that does not take a hit to your credibility.
on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.
Posted in Insights
If you’re a football fan, you watch the Super Bowl for the game. Everyone else watches for the commercials. The ads are expensive. For this year’s game, a thirty-second spot could cost as much as $10 million. Do these high-dollar advertisers get a good return on their investment? It depends on who you ask. Like ads everywhere else, there are some Super Bowl commercials that blandly blend into the woodwork and others that are talked about for years. One of the best ways these little bits of marketing legerdemain can stand out is through the use of humor. Whether it’s Bud Light’s Bud Knight, singing frogs or a colorful Pepsi extravaganza, it’s the funny ones that everyone remembers.
on Thursday, 05 March 2020.
Posted in Business Strategy
Recently I called the billing office of my healthcare provider about a bill I should not have received. They quickly tossed me to the Billing Investigation department where the woman I spoke with was condescending and repeatedly insisted it was all my fault.
The fact that the charges had been coded incorrectly (by their office) was somehow my fault because I didn’t call my insurance company prior to my routine doctor’s visit to verify coverage. Really??
on Wednesday, 04 March 2020.
Posted in Business Strategy, Insights
Have you ever seen a college professor give a lecture? Some of them are riveting, but many others turn out to be dry and boring. The professor is probably highly qualified. They wouldn’t be lecturing otherwise. They’re probably passionate about the subject matter, too. Yet despite your best intentions, you end up tuning them out. A chance to gain knowledge from an expert in his or her field turns into an exercise in trying to stay awake.
Why? Maybe it’s not the message, but how it’s being delivered. Business is ultimately about communication and how effectively you communicate will go a long way in determining how effective your business is. The most basic communication model looks like this:
on Thursday, 27 February 2020.
Posted in Business Strategy
Do you read ingredient labels? Polydimethylsiloxane, Propylene glycol, Azodicarbonamide, etc. The list goes on and on. You’re not sure exactly what they are, but it’s a pretty safe bet some of them shouldn't be part of a healthy diet.
If you’re like many people who want to avoid eating things they can’t pronounce, here are 4 tips to help you live and eat better:
on Tuesday, 18 February 2020.
Posted in Insights, Life & Lifestyle
A logo is an integral piece of your brand and will dictate how anaudience perceives your company, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of choosing a design, it’s okay. This is an important decision. Your logo needs to clearly communicate the personality of your company—the best logos will actually become synonymous with your brand name—think McDonalds, Nike and Twitter.
That’s why we created the following guide to get you started and hopefully make the processof choosing your logo a little bit easier.
on Tuesday, 18 February 2020.
Posted in Insights